Hopewell Center for Perinatal Services, its staff, and all independent contractors...

...support women in their choices for childbirth and parenting.

...support any type of family –two parent/single parent, heterosexual/homosexual, any religion or any ethnic background.

...provide all parents with information about their options during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.

...encourage bonding and establish realistic expectations for parents.

...encourage and support breastfeeding, but also recognize that it is an individual decision.

...ensure that our fees are fair, reasonable and commensurate with services performed and the client’s ability to pay. We clearly state our services, fees, terms of payment and refund policy with each client. We support DONA’s mission for “A doula for every woman who wants one” by providing scholarships and assistance for families who are unable to afford our services.

...do not divulge confidential information received in a professional capacity from our clients.

...make every effort to honor agreements and contracts for professional services.

...treat all colleagues in an ethical, professional, and respectful manner at all times, including clients, their families, and care providers.

...uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of our professions.

Hopewell Doula Scope of Practice

Labor Doulas. As Labor Doulas, we assist the pregnant woman and her family before, during, and after birth by providing emotional, physical, and informational support. It is not within the labor doula’s scope of practice to offer medical advice or perform any medical or clinical procedure, such as taking blood pressure, temperature, preforming vaginal exams, or checking fetal hear tones.

During pregnancy:
The labor doula’s role is to assist families in preparing a birth plan, to provide information about birth options and resources, and to provide emotional support.

During labor and birth:
The labor doula facilitates communication between the family and the caregivers. She supports the mother and her partner with the use of physical, emotional, and informational support. She does not provide transportation for the laboring mother or her partner to any location, including the hospital.

Postpartum:
The labor doula assists the mother in talking through her birth experience, answering questions about newborn care and breastfeeding within our scope of practice (we do not offer medical advice), and referring the family to appropriate resources as needed.

Postpartum Doulas As Postpartum doulas, we provide information and educational materials to the family. Medical advice is not given; referrals to appropriate studies and published books are within the postpartum doula's scope. The postpartum doula will determine ahead of time what duties she feels comfortable performing for the postpartum family and she will share this information with the family prior to accepting a position with the family.

Postpartum doulas do not perform clinical or medical care on mother or baby such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams or postpartum clinical care.

Sibling Doulas. As sibling doulas, we provide informational, educational, and emotional support to the family's older sibling(s).

During Mom's Pregnancy The sibling doula spends time with the family's older child(ren) prior to the mother's going into labor so that the child(ren) feel comfortable with and trust the doula. The doula answers the child(ren)'s questions about pregnancy, labor, birth, newborns, and being a big brother/sister, and she addresses any concerns they may have.

During Labor and Birth The sibling doula may stay at the family's house while the child(ren) are sleeping if labor begins during the night. If the family wishes the child(ren) to be present at the hospital during labor or for the birth, the sibling doula will transport the child(ren) to the hospital, and will be present with them to answer questions, address concerns, and remove them from the labor room if necessary.